Improved washing-machine



PATENT y Errea.

M. A. RICHARDSON, OF SHERMAN, NEIVYORK.

IMPROVED WASHING-MACHINE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 48,1142, dated `.lune 27, 1865.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, M. A. RICHARDSON, of Sherman, in the 'county of Chautauqua and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Washing-Machines and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, makinga part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a perspective View, and Figs. 2 and 3 are representations of a portion of the interior mechanism thereof.

The letter A represents the main box or reservoir of the washing-machine.

B is a corrugated roller, which is attached to the reservoir by a journal at one end passing through the sideof the reservoir, and by a crank at the other resting in a groove. This crank is secured in the groove by means of the stay G, which is fastened near its lower end by a screw and resting against the button D. By turning this button and stay the corrugated roller is loosened and may be easily removed.

E E E E are plain round rollers, usually four in number, arranged in a concave form and adjusted to the size and form of the corrugated roller, and resting ateach end on journalsin the rockers F F. p p

F F are rockers resting on the wooden springs G G.

Gr Gr are Wooden springs running lengthwise of the reservoir, on either side ot' the inside thereof. One end of these D springs rests in mortises cut in the end of the reservoir near its bottom, and the other ends rest in grooves in the lower side of the corrugated rubbingboard H. By means of the above-mentioned method of adjusting these springs I am enabled to remove them with great ease, for the purpose of turning them over or bottom side up whenever they become warped or bent by the weight upon them, or when from lany other reason it may be desirable so to do.

E is a rubbing-board, usually formed by corrugating the inside ot one end of the reservoir and placing it at an angle of about fortyve degrees with the upright posts.

I I are aprons, the upper sides of which are attached to the rockers F F by gudgeons or hinges near the series of rollers E E E E. By

means of the elastic spring K these aprons are made self-adjustable. They serve to keep the clothes from working under the rollers or becoming entangled therewith. They also serve to keep the ends of garments from falling down after they have passed through the rollers, and keep them in position ready to pass through again until they are clean. They also render it more convenient tond small articles in the suds than has been possible by any arrangement heretofore in use.

The spring K is made of a coil of wire or other proper elastic substance, connecting the aprons I I at a point near the middle thereof, making them self-adj ustable and keeping them 4in their proper position and i from floating on the water.

L is a soap-drawer. It is made of wood, zinc, or other suitable material, and is usually attached to the reservoir by means of cleats on its sides running or sliding in grooves on the bottom of the reservoir. This drawer, adjusted as described, serves to keep the soap from contact with the suds while the machine is in operation, and from dust and dirt while it is at rest. Being placed immediately under the rubbing-board, it is always convenient to the operators hand.

M isa clothes-box, attached to the reservoir by means of adjustable hinges, upon which it is swung up to the end of the reservoir or lowered beneath the same at the will of the operator. When designed for use itis swung up to the end of the reservoir and made fast thereto by means ofthe button a, and is thus in position to receive the clothes after they pass through the wrin ger. Vhen filled it is detached from the machine at the hinges by al side .movement and may be carried to the clothes lines. When not in use it may be swung under the reservoir and fastened there by the button o. I construct this clothes-box of light wood, willow-twigs, ashsplints, or other light and suitable material,so that I am enabled to use it as a clothes-box fora washingmachine, and also make it serve as a clothesbasket for ordinary household purposes.

' What I claim as new of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. rIhe adjustable aprons I I, in combination with lthe elastic spring K and the Wooden springs G G, constructed and operated in the mannerl and for the purposes specified, suboperated in the manner and for the purposes stantially as set forth. specified, substantially as set forth.

l2. In combination with a Washn Or-uuaehiue T constructed with two adjustable aprms which M A' RHHARDSO are connected by au elastic spring and a series Witnesses: of rollers resting upon Wooden springs, as rep- J. C. SMITH,

resented, the clothes-box M, constructed and J. K. SOMES. 

